Sandestin, homeowners reach settlement

Sunday

Oct 8, 2017 at 4:23 PMOct 8, 2017 at 4:23 PM

Sandestin Investments has agreed to reduce the number of new units and where they will be built.

DEBORAH WHEELER @WaltonSunDeb

MIRAMAR BEACH — After years of being at odds over various development issues, the Sandestin Owners Association has agreed to a settlement with Sandestin Investments (SDI) over a contested development order.

The dispute was prompted by a change order application filed by SDI owner Tom Becnel and approved earlier this year by the Walton County Commission earlier this year. The Notice of Proposed Change amended certain provisions of the development order for Sandestin's Development of Regional Impact (DRI). Among the disputed items were the number of new units planned and the proposed amusements.

The SOA challenged the proposed change by filing two lawsuits, one before Gov. Rick Scott and his Cabinet sitting as the Florida Land and Water Adjudicatory Commission and one in Walton County Circuit Court. Both cases will be dismissed under the terms of the settlement.

"I am thrilled," said Kitty Whitney, Becnel's assistant. "I think they did the right thing."

Despite its entitlement to build 1,873 additional residential units, SDI has agreed to reduce the number of units it will develop within the boundaries of the DRI to no more than 1,324. Of those, 624 will be north of U.S. Highway 98 and 200 will be south of U.S. 98 on no more than three parcels. Grand Boulevard will be allocated 500 units, and the agreement limits the number of units that will be developed in several other parcels within Sandestin.

The tennis court parcel also will remain open space and will not be developed, and SDI agreed to not pursue residential development on the Finz restaurant site.

SDI also committed to forego the addition of any category of amusements without the consent of the Sandestin Owners Association.

Both sides also agreed to terms for future beach parking, village parking, beach restroom facilities, construction of a roundabout at Heron Walk Drive and Baytowne Avenue, garbage disposal fees and parcel assessments.

SDI also has agreed to donate the land and a financial contribution to build a traffic circle and additional feeder road to ease traffic at the Heron Walk/Baytowne intersection. The company also has offered to let the homeowners association buy or lease certain parcels.

SDI also will extend beach concessions and services to the western area of the beach.

The County Commission must approve the settlement terms.

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